Value judgments

Residential Architect, March, 2004 by Allen E. Neyman, William H. Kreager, John Chopourian, Jim Shaddox

How long will it take for the intelligence expressed in your article to be reflected in the buying public? What does the buyer who needs "heavy leverage and favorable interest rates" do?

The irony is that my client is a good friend and a contractor and he's the one who handed me your article. He recognizes himself in the article but we feel trapped in a society that is forcing us to make a reasonable financial decision.

Thank you so much for succinctly defining our dilemma.

John Chopourian

Prudential Connecticut Realty

Ridgefield, Conn.

you are very correct in your thinking in "Vacation in Place." Being bound by convention that's aided and abetted by appraisers and banks is something the new homeowner should be freed from. It's the cookie-cutter mentality for efficient loan processing of these two industries that has a stifling effect on doing something different.

The houses of today are big for bigness' sake, a fine reason to waste resources during and after construction.

Jim Shaddox

by e-mail